‘My Mind & Me’ opens conversation around mental health

Selena Gomez normalizes struggles faced globally in new documentary

Image by: Amna Rafiq
Selena Gomez’s My Mind & Me is inspiring for viewers. 

Selena Gomez released her new My Mind & Me documentary on Nov. 22, available on Apple TV+ and in select theatres. The phenomenal film details Selena’s upbringing, her life of stardom, and her mental health struggles within the industry.

The film traces Gomez’s life over the past six years, marking her struggles of being diagnosed with lupus and bipolar disorder and navigating her kidney transplant in 2017. It depicts intimate scenes in which her conditions taking a toll on her mental health and interactions with her loved ones.

It offers the audience an in-depth glance at not just Gomez’s personal life, but the dark sides of the entertainment industry that don’t always make it into the limelight, like the pressures artists face to succeed.

Importantly, the documentary spotlights the pervasive nature of mental health in our society—one that doesn’t discriminate based on status or wealth. Selena Gomez is one of the world’s biggest, wealthiest, and most-followed celebrities, but this doesn’t save her from the struggles so many people around the world face.

My Mind & Me exposes the falsehood that having money and fame means you have a perfect life.

The film is filled with heavy, painful moments, such as scenes of Gomez checking into treatment facilities and clips of the manic episodes she has had after performances.

Her transparency and vulnerability aid in sparking conversations worldwide around mental health. Gomez’s openness about her mental health is crucial given the stigma surrounding mental health. Mental health is still a very taboo subject, even though millions of people in the world struggle with it.

We often put celebrities on a pedestal—one that sees them absent of flaws. The documentary deconstructs this pedestal by showing how the rich and famous, like Selena Gomez, struggle with their mental health as well.

This sheds light on how pervasive these difficulties are and helps normalize the conversation around mental health. If we can see someone living a life of stardom and luxury face the same challenges we do, we can begin to feel less stigma when discussing our own personal struggles.

It was a courageous act for Gomez to share her story. She told interviewers she was about to pull the plug for this right before release, but her strength to release it to the world regardless was a powerful move.

Indeed, voicing one’s truth isn’t easy, especially for celebrities who have a platform and audience constantly watching them. For this reason, not every famous person chooses to speak up, but when they do, it’s an act of courage that benefits the community overall.

Other celebrities should take note of Gomez’s courage and come forth with their stories too—if they’re comfortable doing so. Their commentary makes the largest impact given the pedestal we give them. Their words can move mountains.

Tags

celebrity, documentary, Film, Mental health, Selena Gomez

All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s)-in-Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Skip to content